Dallas has initiated legal proceedings to acquire a 36,000-square-foot parcel of land needed for its $3.5 billion convention center redevelopment project. The city filed a condemnation lawsuit against Charter DMN Holdings, which is controlled by developer Ray Washburne, after negotiations over the property failed.
The contested site is located near Young and Houston streets and sits adjacent to the former Dallas Morning News headquarters at 508 Young Street. Earlier this summer, the city purchased that building from Washburne for $45.1 million. Washburne stated that he is open to selling the smaller parcel but explained that an existing long-term ground lease with broadcaster WFAA complicates the sale.
The lot in question currently serves as a parking area between the old newspaper garage and WFAA’s studio. The Dallas City Council had previously authorized up to $6.5 million for its purchase and passed a resolution in April permitting eminent domain if negotiations did not succeed.
The city’s planned convention center overhaul, expected to open in 2029, requires additional land to accommodate infrastructure improvements such as the Texas Department of Transportation’s expansion of Interstate 30 and upgrades to nearby rail lines. Officials identified the Dallas Morning News property as essential for fitting the project within downtown Dallas.
While Dallas frequently uses eminent domain for less visible projects like easements, it is less common in high-profile real estate disputes.
Washburne originally bought the campus for $28 million in 2019 and retained frontage on Young Street even after selling most of the property to the city. He had previously considered selling part of it to a data firm due to frustrations with delays in city planning, which led to Dallas purchasing the main tract earlier this year. The city assumed control of that property in June.
Washburne commented on the situation: “I’m willing to sell but noted that a long-term ground lease with broadcaster WFAA complicates matters.”
